I head for the hills solo all the time. I tell my wife a general area I am heading too, but also call and let one of my buddies know where I am heading since they think like me and have a better chance of figuring out where I might wander. When I leave the road I always have at least a 1 day supply of food, water, fire starter, space blanket, and 2 way radio with me. I have seen that new personal locator beacon that Survivor Man (Les Stroud) is promoting, that might be a wise item to pack in the backcountry. When I was younger I wouldn't see the need, but now you start to worry about a rolled ankle or blown knee as age progresses. It is called the spot and looks to be the size of a 2way radio, it could really save your butt, would allot rather have this to send distress call than cutting off my arm, that is trapped under a rock, with a pocket knife.